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Qatar Experience

Travel Doha & Other Cities-Experience Qatar

As your aircraft descends into Qatar, you are welcomed by a spectacular view of the capital city, Doha. The completely landscaped, crescent-shaped Corniche, the sparkling blue waters of the Arabian Gulf, and the sandy desert backdrop provide the first glimpse of what experiences await you. We can also offer nice combinations with cappadocia tours from istanbul and Qatar for you. This sun-kissed country is filled with possibilities – desert escapades and shopping extravaganzas; natural attractions and water sports; state-of-the-art sporting facilities and historical museums; all combined with fine dining and luxurious accommodations. Welcome to the heart of the Arabian Gulf. Come … experience Qatar.

DohaThe capital of Qatar, Doha is situated halfway down the east coast of the peninsula. It is an important cultural and commercial centre and enjoys excellent communications with the outside world through its modern seaport, airport, and telephone links.

Palm Tree IslandSituated about a 10-minute boat ride from the Corniche, Palm Tree Island has children and family amenities, restaurants and cafés, and water sports facilities along with beaches for swimming in the warm waters of the Gulf.

Al WakraHalfway between Doha and Umm Said, you will find the town of Al Wakra. Originally a tiny fishing and pearling village, it has evolved into a small town with a population of less than 30,000. The Al Wakra Museum has been established in one of the town’s old forts and displays the marine life and the natural history of the area. There are also fine examples of the art and architecture included in the exhibits.

Umm SaidUmm Said is the heart of Qatar’s industry. Situated 45 km south of Doha on the east coast of the peninsula, it has both a commercial port and an oil-exporting port. There are refineries in Umm Said as well as other industrial establishments producing steel, natural gas liquids, fertilizers, and petrochemicals. Umm Said also has fine beaches.

Khor Al UdaidLocated south of Doha, sand dunes embrace the sea and the surrounding area is covered with many sabkha deposits.

Al KhorAbout 57km north of Doha on the east coast, Al Khor is famous for its harbour filled with small craft and fishing boats. It has excellent beaches, an historic tower, and interesting mosques.

Madinat Al-ShamalA relatively new town on the northern tip of the peninsula, Madinat Al-Shamal is about 107km north of Doha. It serves as an administrative centre for a number of coastal villages.

Al RuwaisLocated on the northern tip of the peninsula this town is a fine example of the traditional Bedouin lifestyle as it merges with the modern world.

Al ZubaraSituated just 100 km north west of Doha lies the town of Al Zubara, an important archeological site famous for its old fort. This fort-turned-museum was constructed in 1938 during the reign of Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani and was erected on the ruins of a neighbouring fort. The fort itself is square-shaped with circular towers in three of its corners and a rectangular tower in the fourth. With high, thick walls, this fort also served as a coast guard station and, until the mid-1980s, was used by the military.

DukhanSituated on the west coast of the peninsula, Dukhan is about 84km across the country from Doha. It became important when oil was discovered in the surrounding area. Like Umm Said and Al-Wakrah, the town also has fine beaches.

Historical Interest

Marroub Fort Built during the Abbasside period on the foundations of an older fort, Marroub Fort is located on the west coast of Qatar and bears the marks of Abbasside architectural style. To the north of the Fort, 250 houses were grouped together in an arch formation.

Al-Ghuwair Castle Al-Ghuwair Castle was built during the early 19th century and is now in ruins. It was constructed with thick walls of stone and mud in a rectangular shape.

Al-Thughb Fort Located on the northwest part of the country, approximately 110 kilometres from Doha, al-Thughb Fort is rectangular with four towers – a common design for desert forts erected between 17th and 19th centuries.

Al-Zubarah Situated just 100 km west of Doha lies the town of Al Zubara, an important archeological site famous for its old fort. This fort-turned-museum was constructed in 1938 during the reign of Sheikh Abdullah bin Jassim Al Thani and was erected on the ruins of a neighbouring fort. The fort itself is square-shaped with circular towers in three of its corners and a rectangular tower in the fourth. With high, thick walls, this fort also served as a coast guard station and, until the mid-1980s, was used by the military.

Al-Rakiyat Fort Restored in 1988, Al-Rakiyat Fort was constructed sometime during the 17th and 19th centuries. Made of mud and stone, this fort, as with many others in Qatar, is shaped as a rectangle with four corner towers.

Barzan Tower Originally built as watchtowers, Barzan Tower is the western tower of two that were erected around the Umm Salal Mohammed area. This Tower was built during the late 19th century and its ‘T’ shape is considered a unique architectural style in the Gulf region. It is a rectangle construction with three levels and an external staircase.

Umm Salal Mohammed Fort Located about 20 kilometres north of Doha and built during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, this Fort is distinguishable by its high thick walls and impressive façade. Inside the fort, you will find several examples of architectural and decorative elements.

Al-Wajbah Fort With its high towers and thick walls, Al-Wajbah Fort was the site of a famous battle and is considered the oldest fort in the country. In 1893 AD, the people of Qatar, under the leadership of Sheikh Jassim Bin Mohammed Al Thani, defeated the Ottoman forces.

Al-Jassasiya Composed of a number of rocky hills overlooking the northeastern coast of Qatar, the hills of Al-Jassasiya contain numerous stone carvings and engravings which are speculated to date back to pre-historic times. Known for its fine beaches, Al-Jassasiya and its neighbour, Fuwairet, are popular for weekend excursions.

About This Site

ExperienceQatar.com is a travel and tourism information portal about Qatar. It is part of a series of websites covering different countries in the Middle East and North Africa. Each of these websites have been made to respresent the rich heritage and beautiful culture of all these countries. Each country is unique in it’s own way, each with their own traditions, religions and culture.